England manager Roy Hodgson has reiterated that he has no intention of leaving Wayne Rooney out of his starting lineup for this summer's European Championships.
The Manchester United striker, who has only recently returned to action after a two-month layoff, is facing competition from the likes of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy for a place up top.
For the first time in Rooney's 13-year professional career some real questions are being asked over his ability to find the net for the Three Lions on the big stage, but Hodgson believes that selecting his skipper is a no-brainer.
"I don't see any reason [not to select him] if 100% fit and playing matches," the Daily Mail quotes him as saying. "Much more would have to happen before I said 'I am going to ditch Wayne Rooney now after two years of captaining the team, 20-odd games where he has been an important part of his group'.
"I don't see any reason why his position in the team or as captain, or in the group, put it that way, should be questioned. Of course, with the competition that is coming for the places where he plays, I do understand there's questions about 'well, should he be the one playing or should another?'
"That's another matter altogether. But I don't understand why it would be even advisable to leave him out of the squad when he has done such a good job captaining these last two years. I think he merits a place there among the 23."
Rooney has scored 51 goals in 109 games for England since bursting onto the scene 13 years ago.
Daniel Lewis
